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LAS CRUCES - For some, it's bigger than Christmas. More important - and easier to remember - than their wedding anniversary. You could say Super Bowl Sunday is an unofficial national holiday.
It's eclipsed only by Thanksgiving in food consumption, and it draws more than 100 million viewers.
For some of those viewers, it's not even about the game; in fact, it might be the only football game they watch all year. Many tune in merely to watch the highly creative - and expensive - commercials.
Whatever your reason for watching the big game, you almost have to watch in a group. A Super Bowl party is the ultimate fun and casual get-together, and since the focus is all about the game it might just be the easiest party you'll ever throw.
Here's our guide to Super Bowl party planning.
Setup
While there are bound to be some at your party who are more interested in chatting or snacking than watching every play, most will want a good view of the television, so make sure you have plenty of seating.
Keep the food and drinks close at hand, so your guests don't have to miss a third-down conversion in order to re-load their plate of hot wings.
If you're thinking of renting a big-screen TV for your party, you should know that many rental companies have a minimum commitment of up to three months. Call right away to find out about availability and delivery options.
If you're looking to decorate, you can find items like flags, pennants, tablecloths, paper plates and napkins
Ronnie Tafoya, area manager for Fanzz, said pickings are a little slim for Green Bay décor locally, but his store always stocks plenty of Steelers merchandise.
"That's our No. 1 selling team for the past several years," Tafoya said. "Even more than Dallas."
Food
You could go fancy with your Super Bowl party snacks - cupcakes with Guinness, homemade mini-quiches - but most guests will be happy with a few easy party staples.
"For me, it's chips and dip," said Indianapolis Colts fan Daniel Baca of Las Cruces, who'll be watching Sunday's game at a friend's party. "Something with green chile."
Chips and dips - including salsa and green chile - are probably the most inexpensive snack option, as well as one of the most popular. You can pick up party-sized bags of chips and jars of dip for about $2.50 to $3 each, or make your own dip for less.
Of course, pizza and hot wings are great sports party foods, too - just the sort of greasy, messy, delicious snacks that make Super Bowl Sunday a total diet-breaker. If you're planning to order from area restaurants, though, bear in mind that everyone else in town probably had a similar idea.
Mike Perez, general manager at Papa John's on Solano Drive, said Sundays during football season are always busy, but Super Bowl Sunday is the busiest day of the year in the pizza business. The order volume, he said, is "massive."
So whether you're ordering a stack of pizzas, pans of wings or other favorite restaurant takeout items, plan ahead and place your order a couple days before the game.
"The more advance notice we get, the better prepared we can be," Perez said.
For Steelers fan David Tovar, an Army Reservist from Las Cruces, the must-have Super Bowl party staple is a little more upscale.
"We love meat - I'm talking steaks," he said. "And, of course, beer."
Tovar said he's planning a get-together at his home with a dozen or so family members to watch his team try for its seventh Super Bowl victory.
To make hosting your own party easier - and less costly - you could always make it a potluck. Encourage your friends and family to bring their tastiest and most creative appetizer dishes and see what kind of gourmet fare you wind up with. You can even pick up a buffet server or two to keep items hot - Walmart sells a small disposable version for $10.
Drinks
Like the Tovars, most Super Bowl party hosts will want to have a good supply of beer on hand, along with other grown-up beverages. If your guest list is long enough to warrant a keg of your favorite brew, again, call early. Most liquor stores and grocery liquor departments offer kegs for rent - with a deposit for the hardware - but you'll want to have your order on the books well before game day.
Beer and other alcoholic drinks can quickly add up to the costliest part of your party budget - a 30-pack of domestic beers like Coors or Budweiser will set you back about $23, and if your tastes run to imported brew, you'll be running a higher tab.
Consider asking your guests to bring their own beverages - along with their creative drink recipes - to cut down on the bar tab, but have some beer on hand for those who forget. And, of course, remember to encourage your guests to drink responsibly.
Don't forget to have drinks for the kids and your guests who don't drink alcohol. You can pick up 24 packs of a variety of soft drinks for around $6 each.
Fun
Speaking of kids, if your friends and family are bringing theirs, you may want to set up a play area for them away from the action. Get out your board games and toys, or a couple of movies for them to watch in another room.
And don't forget games for the grown-ups, too. Grab a copy of our Sun-News Super Bowl Bingo in Thursday's edition of Pulse or find a Super Bowl trivia quiz online for halftime entertainment.
For more Super Bowl party planning and recipe ideas, visit sites like www.entertaining.about.com, www.ehow.com and www.foodnetwork.com.
Amanda L. Bradford can be reached at (575) 541-5464.
If you watch
• What: Super Bowl XLV
• What: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Green Bay Packers
• When: 4:30 p.m. MST
• On TV: Fox, Comcast channel 8, DirecTV and DishNetwork channel 14
